Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Downriver by Jeanne Leiby is a collection of hard-edged stories placed in the setting of downriver Detroit, Michigan. Each of the 15 stories gives a glimpse into industrial-gray neighborhoods filled with hardworking people struggling to survive. The true-to-life characters all hold onto a hope of something better in their future while striving to make sense of their imperfect present.

One thing I appreciate about Leiby's style is her ability to allow the characters to be flawed. There's no powdered makeup and extra lip gloss on them. They are what they are, and we see the sides to them they'd probably rather hide, and this is what gives her stories a unique voice. Secrets are exposed, secrets I doubt the characters even admit to themselves. Despite their flaws, or maybe because of them, the characters are likable, and one can relate to their views of a difficult world. Like Detroit itself, they struggle to be something better and oftentimes fail.

There is no better time for a book like Downriver, since the city of Detroit often finds itself in the news, trying to stay afloat while it wrestles with a tough economic situation. Leiby's stories put a human face to the articles we see in the evening paper and will change the way we read the headlines.

If you'd like to win a free copy of Downriver, please leave a comment on this post telling me what intrigues you about the book. Subscribers to carp(e) libris are automatically entered to win this and every book given away at this site. Leaving a comment here gives subscribers a second entry. A winner will be randomly drawn on Friday, February 1, 2008, at 12:00 p.m. EST and announced as soon as I have contacted the winner.

Another one I need to order for my bookstore! Thanks again, Diane. For your readers who love short stories and are interested in Detroit, also, let me recommend VOICES OF THE LOST AND FOUND, by Dorene O'Brien, and EIGHT DOGS NAMED JACK AND OTHER STORIES, by Joe Borri. Wonderful writing coming out of the motor city.

I love reading about "TRUE GRIT" True family Bio's are my favorite, reading about how hard things are and how others "Manage" make me feel my life is so fully blessed and makes me feel my trials are so small compared to others, and I should stop complainig when I dont get what I want..Stormy5475@aol.com

What intrigues me about this book is that you say the characters are likable. I've been struggling through another Margaret Atwood novel (at the suggestion of a good friend, or I would have quit reading it by now) and am not finding that I like the characters at all, so it would be nice to read something that's easier to relate to.

Also, I'm always looking for good short story collections because I can read them between classes without getting sucked in and showing up late like I often do when I read novels.

Hello, I really love books of all kinds and enjoy reading! I have not read any book that has profiled down river Detroit. Yes, I hear bits and pieced on the news, but I am sure these stories are much more down to the nitty gritty.....Thanks for sponsoring a wonderful contest!Cindijchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

I have been to Detroit and was impressed by its dedicated working class and the dearth of foreign cars! Also, two of my friends are proud to hail from Detroit and I think I would like to share the book with them.

I am usually not a huge fan of short stories, but your review has captured me.

Oh, how cool! This book really intrigues me because I was born and raised in Detroit! This sounds super interesting and am really hoping I win so I can read it and pass it on to my family memebers to read (I have 9 brothers and sisters!). Thanks so much for doing this!

Dearest Diane,I just read all of your reviews. The first to the last. All I can say is: My dear, I am so proud ofyou and your unique way of writing.God has blessed you with such wit!Thank you for your smile. Thank you for my grandchild! Love, Dad

The book intrigues me because my dad is from working-class Detroit. It might give me insight into his youth. Plus, I love short story books, since with three boys, including twin toddlers, short stories are all I have time for! Thanks!

I live right by Detroit, have all my life. I used to live in East Detroit, but we are bit farther away now. I would enjoy this book very much, I hadn't heard of it. Thanks for the great away, I hope I win!!

I was bornin Detroit and my husband grew up there. Funny, we met in Florida. Detroit really interests me because of my husband's stories. I always wondered how and if my life woould be different if my parents would've stayed there.